The following is an excerpt from an OCA position paper Orthodox Relations recently published on the OCA website.

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Quote

Relations with Non-Orthodox -- Looking to the Future

Perhaps the only simple thing about formal Orthodox relations with non-Orthodox Christians (usually called "ecumenical" relations) is their goal: the canonical reconciliation to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of those bodies and groups that have been separated from her for reasons of doctrine or church order. Indeed, the duty and responsibility of Orthodox Christians to work in a genuine and committed way for the healing and resolution of the innumerable schisms in Christian history is universally acknowledged throughout the Orthodox world, and throughout Orthodox history. This duty is a direct corollary of our claim to be the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. It is an essential part of the Church's continual work of mission and her witness to the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Donna Mary, please keep in mind that the forum has very strict rules about copying news articles. You can only post a couple (2-3) paragraphs and then just link to the rest.

When linking news articles/stories, please only copy the first paragraph or at most two as an intro text, with a link to the original, so we can obviate any accusations of exceeding "fair use" allowances in terms of copyright.

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

I think that the Orthodox churches should get out of the NCC as a whole. I've followed it (the NCC) a bit and to me, they seems like just another group that gives the standard reactions to issues and meet together just to agree with each other. It serves no purpose. Money and time would be better spent in the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops.

PP

Logged

"I confidently affirm that whoever calls himself Universal Bishop is the precursor of Antichrist"Gregory the Great

"Never, never, never let anyone tell you that, in order to be Orthodox, you must also be eastern." St. John Maximovitch, The Wonderworker

I think that the Orthodox churches should get out of the NCC as a whole. I've followed it (the NCC) a bit and to me, they seems like just another group that gives the standard reactions to issues and meet together just to agree with each other. It serves no purpose. Money and time would be better spent in the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops.

I think that the Orthodox churches should get out of the NCC as a whole. I've followed it (the NCC) a bit and to me, they seems like just another group that gives the standard reactions to issues and meet together just to agree with each other. It serves no purpose. Money and time would be better spent in the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops.

PP

+ 1 billion

Agreed

Logged

Do not be cast down over the struggle - the Lord loves a brave warrior. The Lord loves the soul that is valiant.

I think that the Orthodox churches should get out of the NCC as a whole. I've followed it (the NCC) a bit and to me, they seems like just another group that gives the standard reactions to issues and meet together just to agree with each other. It serves no purpose. Money and time would be better spent in the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops.

So, is the OCA still in the NCCC? Yes, believe it or not, when Protestant Christians and the Eastern Orthodox Christian Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Metropolia (predecessor to the OCA), and the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate (of North America) first formed it, the Protestants were more traditional in their own perception, and it was named the "National Council of Churches of Christ," which remains its official name, to the best of my knowledge.

Do you notice that the NCCC has severely restricted its secular and leftist political rhetoric in recent years? I haven't heard much from them lately, neither is the official Orthodox Church media commenting much about them these days.

IN THE SECOND SENTENCE IN MY POST ABOVE, I ERRONEOUSLY MENTION THE EASTERN ORTHODOX FOUNDERS OF THE NCCC. THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE WAS NOT A FOUNDER OF THIS NORTH AMERICAN ORGANIZATION, EXCEPT THROUGH ITS GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF (N&S) AMERICA. PLEASE EXCUSE THIS ERROR. I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE FOUNDERS OF THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES WHEN I WROTE THAT INFORMATION. I IMAGIN THAT MOST OF WHAT WOULD LATER BECOME SCOBA MEMBERS WERE AMONG THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS, BUT I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHICH CHURCHES WERE FOUNDERS OF THIS AMERICAN ORGANIZATION, THE NCCC. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS IS THE ERROR OF THIS POST, AND I APOLIGIZE FOR DISTRIBUTING ERRONEOUS INFORMATION ON OUR "oc.net".